Walt’s in Moldova!

I haven’t updated in a long time.

These things happen.

http://gallery.relnor.com/ (to be updated soon with more pictures from the recent Balkans tour).

I got my plane tickets to go home for Christmas! I’ll in the DC area before Xmas, and NY area after. I also wanted to note that on the way there I have 2 layovers; one in Romania and the second in Germany. The plane that takes me from Moldova to Romania is called a Fokker 100. Sounds like a good title idea for a third in the Meet the Parents series. Fly the Fokkers? Peace.

Wow! Two posts in one day. OK, ignore what I said before. You no longer have to register to post. I installed a reputable spam-managing plugin. This should solve most of the problems. However, it will certainly create new problems; it may think you are spam! If this happens, it will probably present you with a little CAPTCHA puzzle (you know, those words that they warp to look all wacky). Let me know if problems arise.

So I logged in today for the first time in quite some time (yeah, I suck at this). There were over 1600 spam comments, of which I have deleted roughly half so far. Sadly, I am forced to have users register to comment now. If you’re interested in commenting, just follow the register links.

In other news, I’m kind of pissed at a few American companies. Namely, Ebay and Equifax. Both of my accounts with these two companies were closed simply from logging in to them from Moldova. It is known among many who are involved in anti-piracy and hacking work that many related problems come from developing countries (I’ve read a few things that specifically named Eastern Europe). But to simply automatically ban an account for being logged in from such a country? That’s downright discrimination and use of stereotype for corporate policy. I’ve managed to get my Ebay account reopened, although the process incredibly drawn-out and annoying.

I understand the need for Ebay and other companies to protect their users from security threats, especially since both of these companies are dealing with financial information, but to have a corporate policy simply banning users who enter accounts from these countries is just wrong. I understand that an American probably very rarely enters his Ebay account from Moldova, but does this mean it’s an immediate red-flag if he does? Ridiculous.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/06/05/guantanamo.trials/index.html

Ok. So I had a request to write about how “brînza” (Romanian for home-made cheese) is made.

Milk cow, put milk in large jar (maybe 1 or 2 gallons?). Let milk sit for 3 or 4 days, and then there will be a visibly separate layer at the top. Scoop the top layer out, it’s sour cream. Put it in your fridge, and later, on tacos. Then, in your jar, you have everything left from the milk minus the sour cream. Put that on a slow boil for roughly a day. Then you will have a jar with a thick heavy substance and a light watery substance. Pour all of it from the jar into a silkscreen and let it sit for an hour or two, so all of the watery substance is removed. Done! What remains is cheese. Add salt for flavor if you like. Refrigerate it, too. Poftim.

PS: I doubt this will work with American milk from the store, because it is pasteurized. Our milk comes straight from our cow. If you’re really interested in making your own, find a cow.

Maybe I’ll write more recipes later, if there is such an interest. Some of the food is damn good, and I must say, I do love me some brînza.

It’s hot in Moldova, and AC is far less frequent than in the States.  Oh yeah, and there’s no running water where I live.  I’m not complaining, really, I joined the Peace Corps knowing that I’d depart from some of the comforts of America.  But.  Just letting you know.  So now you know.

So I haven’t updated in a long time.  But then, why update?  I saw everyone or told everyone; I went to America!  It was awesome.  Thanks to all the cool cats I saw while I was there, in no particular order (and so sorry if I forgot you): Mom, Heather, Stacey, Branddon, Landon, Geoff, Ted, Gwen, Jon, Tara, Melissa, KB, Dave, Chas, Kelly, Kimmy…of course, some of the usual suspects were greatly missed, due to other obligations Matt and Dave (Iraq and California, respectively, both military, thinking about you both), Jason (China). 

 So I had tons of fun and America was awesome…I’d write more, but I’m back in Moldova, and I’ve picked up a little bug called giardia… read at your own peril.  It should be over in a few days, at least I certainly hope so…We have our second language test since arriving in Moldova on Sunday.  Wish me luck!

…that spider bites suck.

I mean, not that I didn’t already suspect it.  I’ve had them before.

But it’s nice to be reminded once in a while.

Ow.

http://maps.google.com/

Ok this takest a teeny bit of work but it’s worth it in the end. Click the link above, and then select “Directions”. Then put in your US home address as the “from” and set “Chisinau, Moldova” as the “to.”

Now, read the directions carefully. Clearly the Google engineers have a sense of humor.